Blog post 876 Hello dear readers, Last weekend I had pretty much time to play Football Manager 2015. Additionally, I decided to watch matches in Extended mode instead Comprehensive one what speeded up my story. So story updates from me should cover more fixtures than usual due to increased gaming velocity. At least the story is called 'Dream Job' meaning I want to become a new Arsenal manager

Blog post 875 Hi guys, Thanks for reading my Dream Job story. By the way, you can comment what story sides should be more/less lightened. It would be awesome to hear your opinion. Today's update about Braganca contains the tactical info and latest results. The 2nd season is being played with already successful 4-4-1-1 tactic and two new tactical schemes presented below. 3-5-1-1 with Standard

Hello dear readers, I know some of you were interested in original customized views created by me in FM 2015. And I promised to share them in this blog. So there are two packs containing 9 views. All of them are very helpful for me in Dream Job story. Hope you'll enjoy importing them. Squad views Download pack of FM 2015 squad views It includes: TFM Selection. Common selection view with

Blog post 873 Hi guys, Here I have a huge portion of fresh Braganca news. Dream Job story continues, and today I am ready to report about three things all together: Revolutional squad changes during summer transfer window. Claimed season expectations. First results in season 2 with the new squad. Revolutionazing Squad revolution in the lower Portuguese League is a totally normal thing.

As we approach the new year, I've been reflecting and decided to write a post about my personal MyGamerXP highlights of 2014.

1. Twitter's Gaming Community

This year I decided to attempt using twitter as a way of finding and interacting with other gamers. I'd tried the popular social network several times over the years, but never really understood it. I always felt it was a bit one-way in terms of conversation. There is a lot of crap on there! Numerous people splurging out random nonsense.However, one day something just... "clicked". It finally seemed to make sense and I have discovered what feels like a whole new world; filled with interesting, funny and knowledgeable gamers who's passion equals my own! Finally, somewhere I fit in! I can talk about games as much as I want and there is always someone out there with something interesting to say.This year I have found some really great people on Twitter. One particular highlight was on Halloween when someone from America sent me a HUGE box of various sweets and treats, all for free (refused to accept any form of payment). Such a kind gesture that was completely unexpected. I've received game codes, interacted with people who have made games I love, arranged online gaming sessions and much more. Twitter has been an enjoyable method of discovery and I'm finding great new people on there all the time!

2. Acquiring Some Important Retro Games

By what feels like pure chance, my Uncle was visiting my parents at the same time that I was picking up my old Sega Mega Drive. Before leaving, he noticed the console on the dining room table and said "You don't still play that old thing do you? I have a bunch of games I was going to throw out this week". I couldn't believe it! Not only that, but upon picking up these games I discovered that a number of them were some of my most cherished games from my childhood - great games that I remember playing with my cousin back when I was little. I did post a video about it, but some notable classics include:

• Comix Zone
• Altered Beast
• WWF Royal Rumble
• The Terminator
• Road Rash

3. Winning a Nintendo Game Boy and a Copy of Duck Tales (CiB)

During the Summer, a site called Games You Loved were running a YouTube competition featuring various retro gaming prizes. I don't usually have much luck with competitions, but I thought "what have I got to lose?" and registered, thinking little else of it and certainly not expecting to win the top prize! To my amazement, (and quite predictably from the title of this piece) I won! I made a video documenting the event/prize which you can see here if you wish. I er... still need to work on my video and presentation skills. So I apologise in advance.

4. My Invite to the Play Expo and Other Gaming Events

I've never been to a gaming event before... ever! So this year I was surprised to receive invites to a few shows in the UK and Europe. Unfortunately due to several commitments and personal reasons, I was unable to make all of them. I did manage to attend Play Expo in Manchester though which was absolutely incredible!I got to play great retro classics (both on consoles and arcade units), meet with indie developers, try out the Nintendo Virtual Boy (for the first time ever), rack up loads of streetpass connections on my Nintendo 3DS and purchase some great collectables/games. I would love to attend more events in the future, so fingers crossed for 2015!

5. The New and Improved Website

This website has really evolved over this year. As some of you already know it started off as "GXP Blog", but in November I re-launched it as My Gamer XP. I've put a lot of time and effort into this site and as a result have had some amazing feedback and interactions with gamers around the world. It has allowed me to connect with people in a way that brings me joy each day.I have some exciting ideas for 2015 and beyond, and I'm really looking forward to the journey ahead.Do you have any great gaming or community highlights from this year? If so, let me know in the comments below!

Back in October I stumbled across a shop of wonders; filled with soft colourful recreations of legendary gaming icons and references. These were all the work of Donna Evans, a talented young woman who is this month's featured gamer!

1. What inspired you to start crafting gaming items?

I'm not really sure! I think investing in a brand new sewing machine when my other one sadly gave up the ghost was a good incentive to try some new and unique things. A better make and motor of machine meant that it could handle lots of different fabrics and layering of fabrics.

2. How long have you been crafting for?

I attended SOS in 2011 and started making plush items back then. I've always loved gaming and making things that are a little bit outside the box. I've learned a lot since then though, and have (hopefully!) expanded my skill set somewhat in the manner I produce items. I am now quite experienced in appliqué, having read various tutorials online and discovering new processes myself. I use that as my main technique when making new things.

3. What would you say is the most difficult item you've produced?

The biggest item would be without a doubt, my N64 controller pillow. It took a whole day to plan, design and print templates, appliqué, and fill. The most challenging item I've made to date is my glowing Majora's Mask pillow. A similar technique is used to the standard version I make, the only difference are the threads I sew with. They are prone to snapping, so it takes a lot longer for me to finish. The end result is pretty scary though!

4. One of the most visually striking objects on display was the Majora's Mask. How long does it take you to make one of those?

Thank you! The Majora's Mask usually takes between 5-6 hours from start to finish, including pre-cutting all my shapes before hand, sewing on the sides and back, and filling at the end.

5. With all these wonderful things you've made, you're obviously a big gamer at heart! When did you first get into gaming? What was the first game/console you ever played?

I got into gaming aged around 10-11, so pretty late for a child in the 90's. I saved up my own pocket money to purchase a SEGA Master System II and was the greatest thing I had ever bought.One of the first systems I ever played was the Mega Drive, though I was a little impatient to save up almost £120 back then to buy one!

6. What would you say are your top 10 games of all time?

Oh this is difficult! But I'll give it a try!

1. The Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of Time
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
3. Pokémon Red
4. The Legend of Zelda - Majora's Mask
5. Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System - built in!) (my first game I ever played that was mine, so it's memorable for that!)
6. Streets of Rage II
7. Phoenix Wright ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
8. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
9. Mario Kart 64
10. Thief II: The Metal Age

I love the variety of playing games with friends, like Smash, Streets of Rage or Mario Kart 64, but I also like solo play, for more intense games, that sometimes require certain skills or "thinking outside the box" such as Ace Attorney or Thief. I put New Leaf on there because it's really gotten my mum into gaming. I bought her a Nintendo 3DS for Christmas and she's played it every day since! It's nice to see her play a new game with me that she understands fully. It's something she hasn't done since I was small and it means a lot to me.

7. Do you have any cool gaming collectables?

Yes I have a few things! I mainly collect Zelda figurines but I have a few older pieces in there. My favourites that I own are my Toy Biz Zelda figures (yes I have the whole set) I got them dirt cheap from a small store a few years back, and I'm very surprised to see how much they are going for nowadays!I also own the gigantic First4Figures Ganondorf statue, (number 3, lucky me!) and the Link on Epona figure from Majora's Mask.I've never gotten rid of any of my games consoles either, I still have my Master System II, Mega Drive II and N64 all in their original boxes. The games consoles I grew up with are pretty special to me.

8. What sort of games do you most enjoy playing at the moment? Are there any you can't stop playing and are eagerly looking forward to playing?

I'm quite taken with my 3DS at the moment as I carry it around a lot and play it at work. This year was a great year for Nintendo, with Layton vs Wright, Prof Layton Azran Legacy, Ace Attorney 5, Smash Bros and Pokémon.I still play New Leaf occasionally, but right now I'm playing Smash Bros. I've been picking up Thief again too lately, both new and old. I am fond of the classics.

9. If you could be any video game character, who would it be and why?

Oh gosh, that's a tough question! For an interesting look into his lifestyle, I would have to go with a rather obscure character - Garrett from the Thief series. I would be very intrigued to see how he lives his life, being a night owl and sneaking around peoples' houses for shiny treasures. Though having my eye plucked out wouldn't be something I would like to experience!

10. Do you have any big projects you are currently working on?

I tend to have a few ideas on the go, but my next batch of items will veer away from video games for a little while, as I delve into food related plush pillows and items. My first items will imitate sushi, then hopefully onto western and British foods.Sometimes I plan a project depending on what materials I have left over from previous event preparations and commissions. I did start a Game Boy Color last year but never got around to finishing it. Now that I have more experience in this field, I would probably start it again from scratch.

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 You can follow Donna and see more of her great work on the Tavington Crafts Etsy Store, on Tumblr and on Deviant Art.

Blog post 872 Dear readers, My transfer campaign for Braganca is already over. However, I don't want to rush with the next update uncovering new Braganca squad because there should be a traditional blog post about results of all the most important tournaments in the first season. So let's get started! Champions League Hot penalty shutout between Bayern and Chelsea in the final ended with

Blog post 871 Hello dear readers, I went deep into squad analysis and would like to share its results today. Let me begin with common team stats sorted by position: Surely this information is not enough to evaluate every player in details. I created and prefer to use a special stats view where I can compare key player statistics on one screen. I always liked Tackling/Aerial/Passing/

Dear readers, The first season managing Braganca became a successful one. I managed to get into promotion playoff has having quite weak squad and 5000 bet coefficient of title win. In fact Braganca was the 4th team of 80 in Portuguese National Championship. That was a merit of used tactical approach, and I am ready to share it with you just right now. Total impression At first I had some

Blog post 869 Hello dear readers, Are you ready for the news about the last Braganca matches in season 1? Promotion league Braganca lost the first match to Camacha but competing Moimenta failed in their match at the same time. So league outcome was moved to the last fixture. For some reason I didn't manage to beat Coimbroes getting just a draw. Luckily, Moimenta did not seize on my loss of

Blog post 868 Hello my dear readers, The first season with Braganca in Dream Job story is nearly completed. What I can say now it's going to be a nervous ending in context of getting promotion from the very first attempt. Here is how my promotion stage group looks like: Braganca matches 3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss in official matches. I should confess we had a set of games different by

So here it is, our list of the top 10 best games for the Nintendo Wii U in 2014! If you've been good this year, you may want to add a couple of these to your Christmas list!

Blog post 867 Hello dear readers, I know many of you couldn't wait till I report about the latest news from Dream Job story. It's the right time you've opened True Football Manager blog for that! 6 fixtures were played, Braganca is not among leaders of the group. However, we still have all chances to promote to the Second Portuguese League. Braganca performance As you can see above I